From TikTok ban in the US to minimum age for social media in Indonesia, here’s everything we covered at Digital Rights Monitor (DRM) this week.
Read our weekly news roundup.
US: TikTok ban more likely after court arguments
The Supreme Court (SC) of the United States (US) appeared determined on Friday, Jan 13, to uphold the law targeting TikTok, according to reports.
The controversial piece of legislation, known as “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act”, has been the centre of attention since it was approved by outgoing President Joe Biden last year. It forces the sale of TikTok’s local operations across the US or the short-video platform will face a permanent ban.
The law was set to be debated in the SC on January 19, with TikTok expressing hopes that the court would find it in violation of the First Amendment. However, according to the reports that have emerged so far, the judges seemed inclined to uphold the contentious law, placing emphasis on the US’ “national security”.
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UK: Apple accused of exploiting app developers
iPhone maker Apple has been accused of taking advantage of its market dominance and pocketing an unfair 30 per cent commission from app developers in the United Kingdom (UK), according to reports.
The allegations have been levelled in a class-action lawsuit representing almost 20 million iPhone and iPad users in the region. The users claim they were charged unfairly for app purchases and in-app services owing to Apple’s App Store policies, which have been a contentious subject within the broader tech industry.
The lawsuit, which was heard by a London tribunal on Monday, seeks $1.8 billion in damages. The excessive 30 per cent commission taken from app developers by Apple leads to higher costs for the consumer of its products, the tribunal was told.
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INDONESIA: Plans to set minimum age for social media use
Indonesia is planning to set a minimum age for access to social media, according to the country’s communications minister.
The measure, which is aimed at “protecting” children, was announced by Comms and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid on the YouTube channel of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s office. The video was uploaded on Monday.
The minimum age for underage users to access social media has yet to be determined, however. According to the minister, she discussed with the president how to “protect children in the digital age”. The president has shown support for the planned legislation, she adds.
According to Reuters, a survey indicates that 48 per cent of children under the age of 12 have access to the internet in Indonesia. Popular platforms used by children include Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
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US: TikTok preparing to shut down on Sunday
TikTok is preparing to shut down its local operations on Sunday across the United States (US), according to reports by international media.
The ban, set to take place under a federal order, will block access to the short-video platform for about 170 million users. TikTok is being banned under a law known as “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act”.
Some differing reports have also emerged in the US media. NBC News reported on Thursday that President Joe Biden’s administration, which approved the anti-TikTok law, is mulling over ways to keep the app accessible in the US.
The Washington Post, on the other hand, has reported that President-elect Donald Trump is considering suspending the blocking of TikTok for “60 to 90” days through an executive order. The publication has cited informed sources in the report.
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